Clarke: We'll be positive
Steve Clarke insists Liverpool will head into tonight's Carling Cup semi-final, second-leg clash with Manchester City aiming to build upon their one-goal lead in the tie rather than attempt to hold onto their advantage.
Steven Gerrard's early penalty at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago put the Reds in front at the half-way stage of the tie.
Clarke knows Liverpool will face a difficult challenge against the Barclays Premier League table toppers, but he maintains he and Kenny Dalglish will be sending the players out with a mentality of trying to win the game.
The first-team coach said: "It's finely balanced. We have to approach the game positively and our mentality has to be to win the game, which would guarantee that we're in the final.
"We have to be positive, we have to approach the game with a positive mentality. City will come here and know they have to score a goal - and a goal for them puts the tie level. They don't need to come and be too cavalier, they'll come and play their normal game.
"They're a top team at the top of the division, have had a great season and we respect them a lot.
"But for us it is more about our own state of mind and mentality - and it will be to go out and win the game."
Liverpool head into the game on the back of a 3-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Bolton on Saturday.
Clarke acknowledges the Reds were below par at the Reebok, but is hopeful a line can now be drawn under the performance ahead of the City clash.
"We all have to sort it out together," he said. "When things are going well, we all take the credit and when things don't go so well, we all have to take the stick.
"It wasn't a good performance - I think that was clear for everybody to see. The players know that, the coaching staff know that and the manager knows that.
"We've addressed it and spoken about it. Hopefully we've put it to bed and the next performance is going to be a lot better."
He added: "You know the crowd at Anfield are going to get behind you, you know the support is fantastic. It's a big game and occasion, the crowd will be with us, but it's important we give them something to shout about as well."